Emmanuel Thomas
Abuja, Aug. 29, 2016 – Christians resident in the Northern part of Nigeria have shelved plans to pull out of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and work for the progress of the association.
The decision to shelve the plan was contained in a communiqué signed by Chairman Northern CAN, Dr. Yakubu Pam and Public Relations Officer of CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab after a meeting of Northern CAN.
“It was agreed by all delegates at the meeting that Northern CAN would not pull out of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to form a different body. The delegates also resolved that nobody or group outside the Northern CAN Chairman or the Public Relations Officer of CAN should speak or issue a statement on behalf of Northern CAN henceforth.
“The delegates condemn in its totality the recent killings and religious radicalism that was displayed at Zamfara College of Education by some students of Islamic faith. We call on government to ensure Christian students at secondary and higher institutions in the North are given full protection from any form of molestation.
“The delegates also resolved that Northern Governors as Chief Security Officers of their respective states should ensure Christians in their states are not intimidated, molested or killed by religious fanatics under any guise”, the communiqué noted.
The Northern CAN delegates at the meeting also expressed their reservation over the recent visit of the United States Secretary of State to Nigeria John Kerry that excluded Christian leaders from meeting him,/ rather chose to make his first point-of-call Sokoto to meet the Sultan and select Northern Governors.
The Christian Leaders in the north also called on the unemployed youths in the north to go into farming rather than, be waiting endlessly for white collar jobs that are unavailable. It called on the Federal Government to do all it can to bring lasting peace to north-east region to enable IDPs return to their homes.
Delegates condemn in strong terms under age marriages, abductions in some parts of the Northern States and frowned at ongoing land grabbing in some states of the north by some persons or group bent on causing crises in the north, advising government to halt activities of these group of persons.
The leaders frowned at cases of corruption at high and low places in the country, suggesting that those in position of authority should use their offices to better the lot of the people of Nigeria.
